Huskers Fall to Sooners, 224.175-221.45, for First Loss of the Season

The eighth-ranked Nebraska men’s gymnastics team suffered its first loss of the season, falling to sixth-ranked Oklahoma, 224.175-221.45, Friday evening in Norman at the OU Field House

The bright spot for the Huskers was sophomore all-arounder Jason Hardabura (Oakville, Ontario), who won the all-around with a score of 56.60, the fourth straight meet he has won the all-around. Hardabura placed first on floor exercise with a 9.525 and was second on pommel horse (9.70) and horizontal bar (9.625). The Huskers also received a solid performance from junior Derek Leiter (Lincoln, Neb), who placed first on vault (9.55) and was second on parallel bars (9.55). Leiter, who was limited to just four events because of a bad back, also tied for third on high bar with a score of 9.60.

Leiter was one of several Huskers not at 100 percent. Freshman Dustin Jakub (Lincoln, Neb.) suffered a sublexed left ankle during his vault, while senior Jim Koziol (Omaha, Neb.) strained his left bicep during his still ring routine. Both did not return to competition.

The Sooners, who improved to 6-3 on the season, were sparked by senior Todd Bishop, who placed first in three events, highlighted by a perfect 10 on horizontal bar. Bishop also finished first on pommel horse (9.75) and parallel bars (9.675). Sophomore Charley Goiccochea was the Sooners’ other event winner, taking first on still rings with a score of 9.55. It was Oklahoma first victory in three tries over the Huskers this season.

“We did not perform well tonight,” Nebraska Coach Francis Allen said. “Part of it was injuries and part of it was that we did not hit our routines. We are just looking forward to coming home and healing up before our meet next week at BYU. The biggest thing for us is to get healthy. I think Dusty is going to be out for a while.”

The Huskers return to action this Saturday, March 6, when the Huskers travel to Provo, Utah for a men’s and women’s double dual with BYU, beginning at 8 p.m. The men’s meet will also feature seventh-ranked Michigan State.

Team Scores 1. Oklahoma 224.175 2. Nebraska 221.45 All-Around 1. Jason Hardabura (NU) 56.60 2. Steve Van Etten (OU) 55.95 3. Martin Fournier (NU) 53.40 Floor Exercise 1. Jason Hardabura (NU) 9.525 2. Steve Van Etten (OU) 9.50 3. Jim Koziol (NU) 9.30 Pommel Horse 1. Todd Bishop (OU) 9.75 2. Jason Hardabura (NU) 9.70 3. Huy Ly (OU) 9.60 Still Rings 1. Charley Goiccochea (OU) 9.55 2. David Johnston (OU) 9.45 3. Jason Hardabura (NU) 9.40 Vault 1. Derek Leiter (NU) 9.55 Gabe Hansen (OU) 9.55 3. Blake Bukacek (NU) 9.40 Parallel Bars 1. Todd Bishop (OU) 9.675 2. Derek Leiter (NU) 9.55 3. Martin Fournier (NU) 9.50 Steve Van Etten (OU) 9.50 Gabe Hansen (OU) 9.50 Horizontal Bar 1. Todd Bishop (OU) 10.00 2. Jason Hardabura (NU) 9.625 3. Derek Leiter (NU) 9.60 Gabe Hansen (OU) 9.60